2011 Chevrolet Volt

2011 Chevrolet Volt Courtesy General Motors/Chevrolet

When the Chevrolet Volt exited the assembly line in November, it became the first and only production plug-in hybrid on the American road. GM says the four-passenger hatchback’s power train will allow 78 percent of American drivers to forgo gasoline entirely during their daily commutes. Unlike the purely electric Nissan Leaf, which can travel roughly 100 miles before halting for a recharge, the Volt can travel coast-to-coast—a full charge of the battery is good for 25 to 50 miles of driving; after that, the gas engine starts up and generates electricity for the battery. The engine adds another 310 miles of range, and you can gas up as needed until you get a chance to plug in, while still getting mileage in the mid-to-high 30s. From $41,000, or $33,500 after $7,500 federal tax credit.